When is an operator permitted to use lifting equipment? Latest safety regulations

Lifting equipment is a category of machinery with strict occupational safety requirements, widely used in manufacturing, construction, logistics, and many other industries. However, the majority of incidents and accidents related to lifting equipment do not stem from equipment failures, but rather from improper operational procedures or usage under unsafe conditions. Therefore, the law clearly stipulates the conditions that operators must meet before using the equipment, while also identifying cases where operation is strictly prohibited to prevent risks and protect workers' lives. In this article, let's explore with Vietmani when operators are permitted to use lifting equipment and the conditions that compel them to stop or refuse operation according to current regulations.

The Safety Triangle in Lifting Equipment Operation

A lifting shift is only considered safe when all three core elements: Human – Equipment – Working Environment fully meet safety requirements. This is regarded as the "Safety Triangle" in lifting equipment operation. If just one of these three elements fails to meet requirements, the risk of an incident increases significantly, even if the other two remain completely normal. This perspective is also reflected in occupational safety regulations and current lifting equipment management procedures.

• Human: The operator is trained, holds required certificates according to regulations, meets health requirements, is assigned the task, and remains alert during work.
• Equipment: The equipment has a valid inspection certificate, undergoes periodic maintenance, its safety mechanisms operate normally, and it is checked before each operational shift.
• Working Environment: The work area must be safe, have sufficient space and lighting, control access, arrange a signal person when necessary, and evaluate factors such as wind, ground stability, and distance to power lines.

Note: Only when qualified personnel, safe equipment, and a suitable environment are simultaneously ensured is the operator permitted to use the lifting equipment. If any element in the "Safety Triangle" does not meet requirements, lifting operations must be stopped for inspection and remediation before continuing. This is also the fundamental principle in safety management for all lifting equipment under current regulations.

When Are Operators Permitted to Use Lifting Equipment?

According to occupational safety regulations, operators are only permitted to use lifting equipment when they simultaneously meet all conditions regarding personnel, equipment, and the working environment. Meeting one or two conditions is not enough; only when all requirements are ensured can the equipment be put into safe operation. Below are the important conditions that operators and enterprises must check before each working shift.

Operators Are Trained and Qualified to Work

Lifting equipment operators must be at least 18 years old, meet required health standards, be trained in operational expertise, and receive occupational safety and health training. Enterprises may only assign equipment to individuals who have been assigned the task and have sufficient capacity to perform the work.

In addition, operators must work in an alert state, with the ability to observe and handle situations. Cases involving fatigue, consumption of alcohol, stimulants, or medications that affect reflex capabilities are not permitted to operate lifting equipment.

=> Read more:

• Lifting Equipment Operation Certificate – Latest Regulations & Penalties
• Regulations on Lifting Equipment Operators Under Current Law

Lifting Equipment Meets Technical Requirements and Has Valid Inspection

Before operation, lifting equipment must be inspected to ensure it is in normal working condition. The equipment must have a valid technical safety inspection certificate, maintain management records, undergo periodic maintenance, and show no damage affecting its operational capability.

Critical components such as load cables, chains, crane hooks, brakes, lifting mechanisms, limit switches, overload protection devices, and emergency stop buttons must operate accurately. If any abnormal signs are detected, the equipment must be stopped for inspection and repair before continued use.

Work Area Ensures Safety

Lifting equipment may only be operated when the working environment meets safety conditions. The lifting area must have a stable foundation, sufficient operating space, a clear line of sight, and be equipped with barriers or warning signs when necessary.

In cases where visibility is restricted or the operator cannot observe the entire work area, a signal person must be present to coordinate. At the same time, factors such as strong winds, storms, weak ground, excavations, or distance to power lines must be evaluated to eliminate potential safety hazards during lifting operations.

Conduct Pre-Shift Inspections

Before each shift, the operator must conduct a thorough inspection of the equipment and work area. This inspection includes confirming the technical condition of the equipment, checking safety mechanisms, performing a no-load test run if needed, evaluating the lifting load, and ensuring everyone is outside the danger zone.

This is a crucial step that helps detect damage or potential risks early, thereby preventing accidents before the equipment officially begins operation.

Note: Operators are only permitted to use lifting equipment when they are qualified, the equipment has been safety-checked, and the working environment meets requirements. If any condition is not ensured, operations must be temporarily suspended until the risks are eliminated. This is a critical principle to protect workers, property, and maintain safe production operations.

Strictly Prohibited Cases in Lifting Equipment Operation

In addition to permitted operating conditions, the law also clearly specifies cases where operators must stop or are not permitted to use lifting equipment. Intentionally operating when the equipment, operator, or working environment does not ensure safety can lead to serious accidents, causing damage to life and property, while incurring legal liability for the enterprise and involved individuals.

Equipment Does Not Ensure Technical Safety

Operators are strictly forbidden from using lifting equipment when detecting any signs of damage or abnormalities affecting safe operating capability. Some common cases include:

• Equipment has expired or has not undergone technical safety inspection.
• Steel cables, load chains, crane hooks, or hoists are worn, cracked, deformed, or damaged.
• Braking systems, lifting mechanisms, or moving mechanisms operate unstably.
• Limit switches, overload protection devices, or emergency stop buttons do not function.
• Abnormal noises, severe vibrations, or oil/compressed air leaks occur during operation.

If the above signs are detected, the operator must stop the equipment immediately and report to the technical department for inspection and repair before putting it back into use.

Operators Are Not Qualified to Work

Operating lifting equipment is not permitted in the following cases:

• Not trained or not assigned the task of operating.
• Not meeting required health standards.
• Under the influence of alcohol, stimulants, or medications affecting concentration.
• Fatigued, distracted, or incapable of handling situations safely.

Assigning equipment to unqualified individuals not only increases accident risks but also violates occupational safety and health regulations.

Performing Lifting Operations Contrary to Proper Procedures

Even when the equipment operates normally, operators must not perform actions contrary to safety procedures, such as:

• Lifting loads exceeding the equipment's allowable working load limit.
• Pulling or lifting loads obliquely, or dragging objects along the ground.
• Lifting buried or jammed objects without knowing their actual load weight.
• Lifting loads with unstable centers of gravity or improperly rigged and secured loads.
• Moving loads without ensuring a safe distance from people and obstacles.

These actions can increase the load applied to the equipment, causing instability, load overturning, or cable snapping, leading to serious accidents.

Working Environment Does Not Ensure Safety

Lifting equipment is also not permitted to operate if the work area poses potential safety hazards, including:

• People standing or working within the lifting area.
• Working near power lines without maintaining a safe clearance distance.
• Strong winds, storms, or weather conditions affecting load control capability.
• Weak ground, excavations, or unstable equipment positioning.
• Inadequate lighting or obstructed line of sight without a signal person assisting.

Before each working shift, enterprises must thoroughly evaluate environmental factors to eliminate risks before permitting equipment operation.

Strictly No Lifting People with Crane Hooks or Leaving Suspended Loads Unattended

This is one of the strictly prohibited acts during lifting equipment operation. Operators must not use crane hooks to lift people unless the equipment is specifically designed for this purpose. At the same time, operators must not leave their control station or leave suspended loads hanging unattended without supervision.

Leaving suspended loads for extended periods increases the risk of dropped loads due to technical failures or environmental impacts, posing dangers to people and surrounding equipment.

Recommendation: If any unsafe condition is detected, the operator must stop the equipment immediately, isolate the danger zone, and notify management or the technical department for inspection. Absolutely do not force operation for the sake of production schedules, as a single wrong maneuver can lead to severe workplace accidents and cause major losses for the enterprise.

=> Read more: Prohibited and Restricted Conditions for Lifting Equipment Operation According to Technical Standards and Vietnamese Law

Pre-Operation Checklist for Lifting Equipment

Inspecting equipment before each shift is a mandatory requirement in safe operating procedures. A few minutes of inspection can help detect potential defects early, prevent accidents, and reduce unplanned downtime. Operators should perform inspections according to a fixed checklist to avoid omitting critical items.

Pre-Operation Inspection Checklist

Item	Inspection Content
Operator	In good health, assigned to the task, trained, and wearing complete personal protective equipment (PPE).
Equipment Records	Equipment has valid inspection, operation logs, and complete maintenance records.
Lifting Mechanism	Check steel cables, chains, crane hooks, hoists, pulleys, drums, etc., for wear, cracks, deformation, or damage.
Safety System	Brakes, limit switches, overload protection devices, and emergency stop buttons function normally.
Power Source	Check that electrical, compressed air, or hydraulic power sources are stable, with no leaks or pressure drops.
Work Area	Stable ground, adequate lighting, no obstacles, and no personnel within the danger zone.
Lifting Load	Accurately determine load weight, center of gravity, and appropriate rigging methods; do not exceed the equipment's allowable load limit.
Communication & Signals	Agree on signals between operator and signal person (if applicable); ensure all team members understand the work procedure.
No-Load Test	Run a test without a load to verify mechanism operations before actual load lifting.

Key Principles to Remember

After completing the checklist, the operator should only begin work when all items meet requirements. If any faults related to equipment, loads, or the working environment are discovered, operation must stop immediately and be reported to management or the technical department for resolution.

In particular, do not skip the inspection step simply because the equipment was "used yesterday" or "just maintained." Many incidents occur due to minor faults arising between shifts that go undetected. Maintaining a pre-shift checklist helps enterprises build professional work procedures, minimize risks, and extend equipment lifespan.

What Should Enterprises Do to Reduce Risks?

Ensuring safety in lifting equipment operation is not solely the operator's responsibility, but also the enterprise's. An effective safety management system must be built from equipment selection and personnel training to inspection, maintenance, and operational supervision. When these measures are implemented synchronously, enterprises not only reduce workplace accident risks but also boost productivity, extend equipment lifespan, and comply with legal requirements on occupational safety and health.

• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Standardize inspection and operation steps, and clearly assign responsibilities for each position.
• Provide Periodic Training and Instruction: Equip workers with legal knowledge, operational skills, troubleshooting abilities, and hazard identification capabilities.
• Conduct Inspections and Maintenance According to Regulations: Perform regular technical inspections, preventive maintenance, and timely component replacements to ensure equipment is always in safe condition.
• Equip Complete Safety Devices: Install overload protection systems, emergency stop buttons, warning alarms, barriers, and use standardized rigging tools.
• Build a Safety Culture: Encourage employees to comply with procedures, proactively report risks, and never compromise safety for the sake of deadlines.
• Adopt Modern Lifting Solutions: Invest in suitable equipment to reduce manual handling, increase accuracy, enhance productivity, and minimize workplace accidents.

Solutions such as assisted lifting arms (Industrial Manipulators), Vacuum Lifters, Tube Lifters, or integrated systems featuring Auto Balancers, Zero Gravity technology, overload sensors, and safety locks enable operators to handle materials effortlessly, reduce dropped-load risks, prevent accidents, and boost manufacturing productivity.

How Does VIETMANI Support Enterprises in Safe Operation?

Safety in lifting equipment operation comes not only from procedural compliance but also depends on choosing the right lifting solution from the start. With years of experience in assisted lifting devices and vacuum lifting systems, VIETMANI provides solutions tailored to practical applications, helping enterprises reduce risks, increase productivity, and build a safer working environment.

VIETMANI supports enterprises in safe operation by:

• Consulting the Right Solution: Surveying loads, dimensions, working frequency, environment, and operational requirements to select the appropriate system from the outset.
• Integrating Safety Features: Equipping technologies such as Auto Balancer, Zero Gravity, overload protection, safety locks, anti-drop mechanisms, and emergency stop buttons to minimize risks during use.
• Installation and Training: Providing guidance on operation, equipment inspection, periodic maintenance, and handling basic troubleshooting so operators use equipment correctly.
• Maintenance and Technical Support: Accompanying enterprises throughout the equipment lifecycle with maintenance services, periodic inspections, and genuine spare parts replacement, keeping systems operating stably and safely.

Conclusion

Complying with safety regulations is a prerequisite for effective lifting equipment operation. However, to sustainably minimize risks, enterprises must combine strict management procedures, well-trained personnel, and appropriate lifting solutions.

With a team of experienced engineers and lifting solutions designed for each specific practical application, VIETMANI not only provides equipment but also accompanies enterprises in building a safe, efficient, and sustainable lifting system. This serves as the foundation helping enterprises reduce operational costs, boost productivity, and meet the increasingly stringent workplace safety demands in industrial manufacturing.